Finger protector device

ABSTRACT

A finger protection device ( 2 ) for a door or window comprising attachment means ( 5 ) for attachment to either a door or window or a corresponding door/window frame, which door or window is arranged for relative movement with respect to its frame, and abutment means ( 4 ) connected to the attachment means ( 5 ) and biased towards an opening created by movement of the door or window out of its corresponding frame.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to finger protector devices, andparticularly, although not exclusively, to finger protector devices foruse with sliding and hinged doors.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Sliding doors, for example, patio doors, are arranged such that onsliding a door from a closed position to an open position, a dooropening is formed between an edge of the door and an adjacent door-frameto which the door is mounted. On sliding the door back into the closedposition, the size of this door opening is reduced until the edge of thedoor completely engages the adjacent door-frame. Any objects protrudinginto the decreasing opening during the closing of the door, may becomesqueezed or trapped therein. Frequently, fingers become trapped betweenthe door and the adjacent door-frame during closing which tends to bevery painful.

Similarly, a door which is mounted to a door-frame by hinges, also formsa gap between the edge of the door carrying the hinges (or the oppositeedge) and the adjacent door-frame when it is opened. As with slidingdoors, on closing hinged doors the gap is inevitably reduced until thedoor engages the door-frame which may result in injury if fingers areinserted therein.

It is an aim of the present invention to address the problems associatedwith sliding and hinged doors.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a fingerprotection device for a door or window comprising attachment means forattachment to either a door or window or a corresponding door/windowframe, which door or window is arranged for relative movement withrespect to its frame, and abutment means connected to the attachmentmeans and biased towards an opening created by movement of the door orwindow out of its corresponding frame.

The door-frame or window frame may include an adjacent surface, forexample, a wall. The door or window may comprise a sliding door orsliding window arranged for relative movement with respect to its frame.Alternatively, the door or window may comprise a hinged door or hingedwindow arranged for relative movement with respect to its frame.

The door frame or window frame may be integral with, or used on, avehicle, for example, buses, tubes, people carriers, loading vehicles,where either hinged door or sliding door arrangements are commonplace.

Preferably, in a first embodiment, the attachment means comprises asubstantially planar base which may comprise an aperture through whichfixing means may extend into the first or second surface. Alternatively,or additionally, the base may be attached to either the first or thesecond surface by adhesive or Velcro™.

The finger protection device may comprise a securing plate which may besecured to either the first or the second surface by suitable means andto which the attachment means may be attached. The securing plate may besecured to either the first or the second surface by suitable fixingmeans, and the attachment means may be attached to the securing means bysuitable means, for example, Velcro™. The finger protection device mayadditionally comprise cover means adapted to be attached to the securingmeans, preferably when the securing means is not in use, for example, ifthe abutment means and attachment means have been removed.

The abutment means may comprise a head section and preferably a necksection connected thereto. Preferably, the head section is rigidlyconnected to the neck section. Preferably, the head section issubstantially bulbous and solid and preferably, dense. Preferably, theneck section is substantially elongate and hollow and preferably, lessdense than the head section. Advantageously, the neck section maycomprise side walls which may flex thereby allowing shocks to beabsorbed therealong.

Preferably, the said neck section is connected to the attachment meansby suitable means. Preferably, the neck section is connected to theattachment means by a friction fit operable to urge the head section ina direction towards the space between the first and second surfaces,i.e. a closed position. Alternatively, or additionally, the friction fitmay maintain the abutment means away from the space between the firstand second surfaces, i.e. an open position.

Preferably, the planar base comprises first and second spaced apartflanges extending therefrom. Preferably, the abutment means, preferablythe neck section thereof, are resiliently maintained between the flangesin either the open or closed position. Preferably, the first flangecomprises a protrusion extending towards the second flange, and viceversa. Preferably, the neck section of the abutment means comprisesprotrusion receiving means which may comprise a channel extendingtherethrough.

Preferably, the or each protrusion is generally circular incross-section. Preferably, the or each protrusion comprises at least onerecess located around the circumference thereof. Preferably, the or eachprotrusion comprises at least two recesses located at spaced apartpositions around the circumference thereof. Preferably, the positions ofthe first and second recesses in the first protrusion correspond withthe positions of the first and second recesses in the second protrusion.Preferably, the first and second recesses correspond to the closed andopen positions of the abutment means with respect to the door frame,respectively.

Preferably, the protrusions are accommodated by the receiving means andoperable to bias the head section towards the closed position betweenthe door or window and door/window frame. Preferably, the protrusionreceiving means is sized to accommodate the or each protrusion of theattachment means. Preferably, the protrusion receiving means comprisesengagement means adapted to engage the or each recess in the protrusion.Preferably, the engagement means is substantially resilient. Preferably,the engagement means comprises a finger or flange extending away from anouter wall of the neck section, which finger or flange preferably, formsa surface which defines an inner region of the protrusion receivingmeans.

Preferably, the engagement means comprises a terminal node adapted tofit in the or each recess in the protrusion. Preferably, the terminalnode or head is distal from the site of origin from the outer wall.

Preferably, and advantageously, the abutment means may be adapted tomove between the open and closed positions. The engagement means mayengage the first recess when in the closed position, and preferably thesecond recess when in the open position.

Advantageously, and preferably, the abutment means is biased when in theclosed position such that it is urged to fill the space created betweenthe door (or window) and door-frame (or window frame). Therefore, whenan operator wishes to close the door or window, the abutment means mustbe removed from the space.

Advantageously, if the door is closed accidentally, for example, by agust of wind etc, and the abutment means has not been moved out of thespace, then the door will be unable to fully engage the door-frame and agap the width of the abutment means will still remain. This isparticularly advantageous when children may have their fingers insertedin between the door (window) and the door-frame (window frame) at thetime the door accidentally closes.

Preferably, the abutment means may be manually urged in a directionwhich is substantially opposite to the first direction away from thespace between the door or window and door/window frame. The abutmentmeans may be maintained in the open position by engagement of theengagement means in the second recess. Preferably, upon release, theabutment means returns to the space between the door or window anddoor/window frame.

Preferably, in the second embodiment, the abutment means comprises ahead section. Preferably, the head section is substantially bulbous. Thehead section may be solid and preferably, dense. Alternatively, the headsection may be substantially hollow, in which case the head section maycomprise at least one strengthening rib extending thereacross.

Preferably, the finger protection device comprises securing means, whichmay be secured to either the door or window or a correspondingdoor/window frame by suitable means. The securing means may be securedto either the door or window or a corresponding door/window frame byadhesive, Velcro, screws, etc. Preferably, in a second embodiment, thesecuring means comprises a securing strip.

Preferably, the attachment means is adapted to be attached to thesecuring means. Preferably, in a second embodiment, the attachment meanscomprises two arms, which preferably extend transversely away from asubstantially flat surface. Preferably, the distance between the twoarms of the attachment means is substantially the same as the width ofthe securing means. Preferably, in the second embodiment, the attachmentmeans is snap fitted or slid on to the securing means.

Preferably, the abutment means, preferably the attachment means, andpreferably the securing means are extruded. The device may be providedin different lengths. Advantageously, the second embodiment of thedevice may be simply cut to any desired length giving great versatility.

Preferably, the attachment means is connected to the abutment means by ahinge, which is preferably biased. Preferably, the hinge is plastic orrubber.

Advantageously, and preferably, the abutment means is biased preferablyby the hinge, such that it is urged to fill the opening created betweenthe door (or window) and door-frame (or window frame). Therefore, whenan operator wishes to close the door or window, the abutment means mustbe manually removed from the opening.

Preferably, the abutment means may be manually urged away from the spacebetween the door or window and door/window frame. Preferably, uponrelease, the abutment means returns to the opening between the door orwindow and door/window frame.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provideda method of protecting a finger from becoming trapped in between a dooror window and door/window frame which door or window is arranged forrelative movement with respect to its frame, the method comprisingattaching a finger protection device according to the first aspect toeither the door or window or the door/window frame.

All the features described herein may be combined with any of the aboveaspects, in any combination.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how embodimentsof the same may be carried into effect, reference will be made, by wayof example, to the accompanying drawings, in which:—

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of a fingerprotection device;

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the first embodiment of thefinger protection device in a closed configuration;

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the first embodiment ofthe finger protection device in a closed configuration;

FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the first embodiment ofthe finger protection device in an open configuration;

FIGS. 5 a and 5 b are schematic perspective views of a second embodimentof the finger protection device;

FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view of the second embodiment of the fingerprotection device;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged plan view of the second embodiment of the fingerprotection device; and

FIG. 8 is an alternative enlarged plan view of the second embodiment ofthe finger protection device.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a first embodiment of a fingerprotection device 2 in exploded view showing its components. The device2 generally consists of an abutment member 3 and an attachment member 5which are secured together to form the complete finger protection device2. The abutment member 3 is manufactured out of high-density rubber andthe attachment member 5 is manufactured out of a rigid polymer.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the abutment member 3 of the first embodimentof the device 2 consists of a large head section 4 which is integralwith an elongate neck section 6 having an inner region 48 cored out. Thecored inner section 48 allows the outer walls of the neck section 6 toflex so that shocks may be absorbed therealong when in use. The necksection 6 extends into an attachment region 8 where it is connected tothe attachment member 5.

The attachment member 5 consists of a flat base 12 having an aperture 14at either end thereof. The attachment region may be mounted directlyonto a surface, for example, a door-frame 22 as shown in FIG. 2, bypassing screws 42 through the apertures 14 of the base 12. Removablecovers 20 are attached to the base 12 over the apertures 14 in order tohide the screw heads projecting therethrough.

The underside of the base 12 may be covered with Velcro™ 44 forfastening to the door-frame 22 which is also covered in a suitablyshaped region of Velcro™ 44 at the desired location. Alternatively, thedevice 2 may additionally include an optional wall mounting plate 40which is secured directly in the door frame 22 by passing screws 42through apertures 15 extending therethrough. The surface of the mountingplate 40 which faces away from the door frame 22 is covered in Velcro™44 and provides a surface to which the Velcro 44 underside of the base12 may be attached. An optional cover 46 may be attached by Velcro™ 44to the exposed Velcro™ surface of the mounting plate 40 if theattachment member 5 is removed.

Two parallel spaced apart flanges 16 extend from the base 12 of theattachment member 5 and form a small gap therebetween. Two protrusions18 extend from the sides of the flanges 16 into the gap and pointtowards each other. The two protrusions 18 are generally circularcross-section except for two small recesses 52 a,52 b located at spacedapart positions around the circumference thereof.

The attachment region 8 of the abutment member 3 is provided with achannel 10 having a generally circular cross-section which extendsthrough the attachment region 8. The channel 10 is sized to accommodatethe protrusions 18 on the attachment member 5. In addition, theattachment region 8 of the abutment member 3 includes a resilient finger49 having a head section 50 which is of a similar size as the tworecesses 52 a,52 b in each protrusion 18. The head 50 of the finger isresilient such that it can flex in an out of the channel 10 as will bedescribed hereinafter.

The abutment member 3 is connected to the attachment member 5 by gentlyprising the two flanges 16 apart and allowing the protrusions 18 to snapfit into either side of the channel 10. Due to the resilience of thefinger 49, the head 50 is urged to rest in either of the two recesses 52a,52 b in each protrusion 18 depending on whether it is desired to havethe device 2 in an open or closed configuration. The components of thefinger protection device 2 are maintained together by a friction fit.

Referring to FIG. 2, there is shown a sliding door arrangementconsisting of a door-frame 22 attached to a wall 24. The door-frame 22has two parallel flanges 28 extending therefrom which form adoor-engaging channel 26 therebetween. For clarity, the door, whichengages with the channel 26, is not shown.

FIG. 2 shows three finger protection devices 2 (first embodiment)attached to three different surfaces which are all adjacent thedoor-engaging channel 26 and which are all in a closed configurationonly one finger protection device 2 needs to be used for each door inpractice; three are shown merely for illustrative purposes. Each of thedevices 2 is mounted so that the head section 4 of the abutment member 3is biased or urged in the direction of arrow Y such that it ispositioned in the channel 26. This is achieved by arranging the abutmentmember 3 with respect to the attachment member 5 so that the head 50 ofthe finger 49 is positioned in recess 52 b. This can be done manually byan operator. FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view along two of the threedevices 2 illustrating the head 50 engaging recess 52 b. Hence, theabutment member 3 is biased into the closed configuration in thedirection shown by arrow Y.

Referring to FIG. 4, there is shown a cross-sectional view of a fingerprotection device 2 (first embodiment) in an open configuration withrespect to the door frame 22. The abutment member 3 has been pulled byan operator away from the door frame 22 in a direction opposite to arrowY shown in FIG. 3 so that the head 50 of the finger 49 is moved fromrecess 52 b to recess 52 a. The abutment member 3 is temporarilymaintained in this open configuration allowing the free opening andclosing of the sliding door (not shown).

Referring to FIGS. 5-8, there is shown a second embodiment of the fingerprotection device 2. The second embodiment of the device 2 consists ofan abutment member 3 and an attachment member 5 which are linkedtogether by a hinge 60 to form the complete finger protection device 2.The abutment member 3 and attachment member 5 are manufactured out ofuPVC, and the hinge 60 is manufactured out of a resilient plastic/rubbermaterial, for example, nitrile. The second embodiment of the device 2 isformed as an extrusion.

As shown in FIGS. 5 a, 5 b and 6, the abutment member 3 of the secondembodiment of the device 2 consists of a large head 4. The head 4 has ashape similar to an arrow head, tapering from a larger end wall at theside of the head 4 which is proximal to the hinge 60 and attachmentmember 5, to a narrower end wall at the side of the head which is distalto the attachment member 5. The larger end wall has a small recess 62,which is present to accommodate a locking mechanism of the door orwindow to which the device is attached. On the external side of thenarrower end wall, there are provided two plastic/rubber strips 62 whichextend therealong parallel with each other. The strips 62 are present toabsorb impact along the head 4.

As shown in FIG. 6, a strengthening rib 64 extends between the largerand narrower end walls to provide the head 4 with strength to resistimpacts. It should be appreciated that further strengthening ribs 64could be provided within the head 4. Alternatively, the head 4 could bemade from a solid material throughout.

Referring to FIG. 8, the attachment member 5 is shown consisting of aflat extrusion which has two short arms 66 at either end thereof, whicharms 66 extend transversely away therefrom on the same side as the head4. The attachment member 5 is attached to the head 4 via the resilienthinge 60.

In use, the second embodiment of the finger protection device 2 is fixedin position adjacent to a door or window engaging channel 26 of thesliding door or sliding window arrangement as shown in FIG. 2. This isachieved by initially fixing an attachment strip (not shown) thereto atthe desired location adjacent the channel 26. The attachment stripconsists of an elongate plastic extrusion, which can be cut to size andthen attached adjacent to the door engaging channel 26, by suitablemeans, for example, adhesive, Velcro, double-sided sticky tape, etc.

Once the attachment strip is in position adjacent the channel 26, thetwo short arms 66 of the attachment member 5 of the device 2 are theneither slid over or snap-fitted on to the attachment strip at a suitableposition such that the head 4 of the abutment member 3 is biased orurged in to the channel 26. The arrangement of the second embodiment ofthe device 2 is then very similar to that of the first embodiment. Thehinge 60 of the device 2 biases the head 4 into the channel 26 so thatit is in the closed configuration. As with the first embodiment of thefinger protection device 2, the biasing effect of the head 4 into thechannel 26 prevents the door or window (sliding or hinged) fromcompletely closing, unless the head 4 has been pulled by an operator outof the channel 26 into a disengaged position.

Advantages of both embodiments of the finger protection device reside inthe fact that the head section 4 is always biased in the direction ofthe channel 26 in the door-frame. In the first embodiment, this isachieved by the provision of the recess 52 b in which the head 50 ofresilient finger 49 may be temporarily accommodated. In the secondembodiment, this is achieved by the resilient hinge 60. Therefore, whenthe door (not shown) is opened, the head member 4 is always urged to liein the gap or space produced between the internal face of the door andthe channel 26. Therefore, if one wishes to fully close the door, thenone must manually pull the head section 4 out of the channel 26 in theopposite direction to arrow Y such that the door can fully engage thedoor-frame 22.

If the door is accidentally closed, for example, by a gust of wind, andthe head section 4 has not been moved out of position by an operator,then the door will be unable to fully engage the door-frame 22 and a gapthe width of the head section 4 will still remain. This is particularlyadvantageous when children may have their fingers inserted in betweenthe door and the door-frame at the time the door closes. The cored outsection 48 of the neck section 6 allows the outer walls to flexabsorbing shocks therealong.

Once fully closed, the head section 4 of the device 2 can then bereleased, allowing it to rest against the side of the closed door orwindow. Upon opening the door, the biasing nature of the attachmentregion 8 in the first embodiment and hinge 60 in the second embodimenturges the head section 4 automatically back into position in the gapbetween the door and the door-frame 22. Hence, the device 2 is afail-safe mechanism for ensuring that, when the door is open, there willalways be a safety gap.

If one wishes to maintain the first embodiment of the device 2 in theopen configuration, the abutment member 5 may be pulled back so that thehead 50 of resilient finger 49 temporarily accommodates recess 52 a.

Additional benefits of the second embodiment of the device 2 are that noscrews are required for attachment. In addition, no tools are requiredfor fitting. Finally, because the entire device is formed as anextrusion, it is possible to provide the device 2 in different lengths,for example, 2 cm (small), 10 cm (medium), and 30 cm (large) lengths.Alternatively, a customer could purchase a long strip of the device 2and attachment strip, and cut these to what length he wishes asnecessary before fitting adjacent the channel 26.

The device 2 may be used in conjunction with a hinged door in the sameway as for sliding doors, but on the hinged edge of the door or theopposite edge. The hinged door could be a car door, for example.Additionally, the device 2 may be placed on or around a window frame andwould function in a similar way as on the door or door-frame 22.

The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which arefiled concurrently with or previous to this specification in connectionwith this application and which are open to public inspection with thisspecification, and the contents of all such papers and documents areincorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including anyaccompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps ofany method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination,except combinations where at least some of such features and/or stepsare mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanyingclaims, abstract and drawings), may be replaced by alternative featuresserving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly statedotherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each featuredisclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent orsimilar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoingembodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novelcombination, of the features disclosed in this specification (includingany accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, orany novel combination, of the steps of any method or process sodisclosed.

1. A finger protection device for a door or window comprising attachmentmeans for attachment to either a door or window or a correspondingdoor/window frame, which door or window is arranged for relativemovement with respect to its frame, and abutment means connected to theattachment means and biased towards an opening created by movement ofthe door or window out of its corresponding frame.
 2. A fingerprotection device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the door or windowcomprises a sliding door or sliding window arranged for relativemovement with respect to its frame.
 3. A finger protection device asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the door or window comprises a hinged dooror hinged window arranged for relative movement with respect to itsframe.
 4. A finger protection device as claimed in claim 1, wherein thedoor frame or window frame is integral with, or used on, a vehicle, forexample, buses, tubes, people carriers, loading vehicles, where eitherhinged door or sliding door arrangements are commonplace.
 5. A fingerprotection device as claimed any preceding claim, wherein the abutmentmeans comprises a head section.
 6. A finger protection device as claimedin claim 5, wherein the head section is substantially bulbous.
 7. Afinger protection device as claimed in either claim 5 or claim 6,wherein the head section is solid and dense.
 8. A finger protectiondevice as claimed in either claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the head sectionis substantially hollow.
 9. A finger protection device as claimed inclaim 8, wherein the head section comprises at least one strengtheningrib extending thereacross.
 10. A finger protection device as claimed inany preceding claim, wherein the attachment means comprises two armswhich extend transversely away from a substantially flat surface.
 11. Afinger protection device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein thefinger protection device comprises securing means which may be securedto either the door or window or a corresponding door/window frame bysuitable means.
 12. A finger protection device as claimed in anypreceding claim, wherein the attachment means is adapted to be attachedto the securing means.
 13. A finger protection device as claimed ineither claim 11 or claim 12, wherein the distance between the two armsof the attachment means is substantially the same as the width of thesecuring means.
 14. A finger protection device as claimed in any ofclaims 11 to 13, wherein the securing means comprises a securing strip.15. A finger protection device as claimed in any preceding claim,wherein the abutment means, attachment means and the securing means areextruded.
 16. A finger protection device as claimed in any precedingclaim, wherein the attachment means is connected to the abutment meansby a hinge.
 17. A finger protection device as claimed in claim 16,wherein the hinge is biased.
 18. A finger protection device as claimedin any preceding claim, wherein the abutment means is biased such thatit is urged to fill the opening created between the door (or window) anddoor-frame (or window frame).
 19. A method of protecting a finger frombecoming trapped in between a door or window and door/window frame whichdoor or window is arranged for relative movement with respect to itsframe, the method comprising attaching a finger protection deviceaccording to any of claims 1 to 18 to either the door or window or thedoor/window frame.
 20. A finger protection device substantially asherein described with reference to, and as illustrated by, the drawings.21. A method of protecting a finger substantially as herein describedwith reference to, and as illustrated by, the drawings.